Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins: What to Watch for

Tonight the 2-0 Washington Redskins go to Dallas to take on the 1-1 Dallas Cowboys. Rex Grossman caught a lot of flack in the preseason for his prophesy that the Redskins would win the N.F.C. East this year, but tonight the Redskins have a chance to take a big lead on the two favorites of the division: the Cowboys and Eagles with a win. The Redskins would move to 3-0. The NYG would be in second place at 2-1 and the Cowboys and Eagles would be tied for last with a 1-2 records.

This game might be a tough game for the Cowboys. They are coming into tonight’s game as the walking wounded. Tony Romo is banged up, Miles Austin is out. The Cowboys don’t have a ton of talent in the secondary. Felix Jones is also banged up. And Dez Bryant is a game time decision. The Redskins on the other hand are not missing any of their top players.

Here’s what to watch for tonight, and as always, we’ll focus in on the young guys.

Ryan Kerrigan vs Tyron Smith

Both Ryan Kerrigan and Tyron Smith have appeared on my Rookie Hot List this season. A play on the Heisman watch for the best rookies of the year. Tyron Smith has looked pretty good so far early in the season while Kerrigan has been one of, if not the, best defensive rookie early in the season. Kerrigan has shown a surprising ability to quickly adjust to standing up in the Redskins 34 defense. Kerrigan is playing LOLB, opposite of Brian Orakpo, and will be matched up one-on-one with Smith often tonight. The victor of this battle could go a long way in deciding the outcome of the game. I think this is an even matchup. Smith has the agility,long arms, and hustle to handle the non-stop motor and quick first step of Ryan Kerrigan.

The Dallas young WR vs the Redskins secondary

With Miles Austin out the Cowboys will trot out very young WR options. The veteran of the group is Kevin Ogletree who is in his third season (and I believe spent his first year mostly on the Cowboys practice squad). Jesse Holley who won the Michael Irvin reality program, is in his second year (though he is 27 years old), and Dwayne Harris is also in his second year. The Redskins have a very savvy veteran secondary. Will the Cowboys find any lanes to throw the ball? I have to believe that Bryant will play tonight. If he does not play the Cowboys could be in trouble.

The continued development of Sean Lee

Two of the most impressive second year players in the N.F.C. East are Jason Pierre Paul of the New York Giants and Sean Lee of the Dallas Cowboys. Lee has been mighty impressive in his first two weeks after winning the starting job to begin the season. He has played well in pass coverage and in run support. He was always considered talent, just injury prone. He already has 23 tackles through the first two weeks of this N.F.L. season which puts him 24th in the league heading into tonight’s game. Even a solid 6 tackle performance will have him tied for 5th in the league. The Redskins do a lot of things underneath and his presence there is going to have a big impact on the game.

DeMarcus Ware vs Trent Williams

In the first week of the season Williams was matched up vs Jason Pierre Paul who had 2 sacks and he struggled. Tonight he’ll be up against DeMarcus Ware, the Redskins spent a fourth overall pick on Williams in the 2010 N.F.L. Draft. He has been amazing at times and average at other times. Which Williams shows up tonight. DeMarcus Ware can ruin a game all by himself…can Williams stop him from dominating the game.

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